Tag: book reviews

Books, fantasy, paranormal romance, Reviews, Romance

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Karen

image

I received an ARC of this book which will be released on August 2,2016. I was attracted to the cover, which looks amazing, and the story. Let me give you the blurb, then my opinion:

Catalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her. 

I’m disappointed in this book, but I feel it’s very important for me to explain why. This book was fantastic, it had a great world that was different enough that I was intrigued but familiar enough that I wasn’t confused. It had great characters, Cat was saucy and powerful but not awful, Griffen was attractive and strong, but not like so many main characters I read today, you know willing to do anything the girl wants even though he’s suppose to be all powerful and constantly telling her how beautiful and amazing her existence is (aka he wasn’t an ass kisser). The other characters were great too, they made me smile and hope to learn more about them. And then came the story, you had a circus, magic ropes, magical creatures, crazy Alpha queens, Giants, dragons, oh and Greek gods! And just to make it interesting a whole bunch of fighting with some sexual tension. It was amazing!! So why 3 stars? Why the disappointment? Cause that was the first 50% of the book. Literally (I have a counter on my kindle), the last 50%…nothing. I mean no story, no plot, no more character development (except for the eventual HEA which wasn’t even exciting because I was already bored) even the new characters felt shallow and boring. And the story, you know with the dragons, sword fights, Greek gods, etc…it just came to a screeching halt.

I’m sad because this book could have been one of those that dances the line and you don’t know if it’s fantasy or PNR you just know it’s good. Instead it just turned into another plotless romance.

I’m hoping to read something else from this author someday because I feel like she’s got a blockbuster in her I just didn’t feel this was it.

Books, funny, great reads, Reviews, Romance

“Dear Heart, I Hate You” by: J. Sterling

Les

image.jpeg

Hi guys!!
First, let me thank you all for 10,000 views!!!! I am so excited. Never in a million years, when Karen and I started this, did I believe anyone would actually read our thoughts and opinions, let alone 10,000 views.
Ok, now down to business!!!
I decided to be nice today and let you read the actual book description.
When a self-professed workaholic Jules meets Cal Donovan in a bar one night, her world shifts. The heart she thought was dead inside her chest is instantly brought to life by just one look… one touch… and a pair of deliciously sexy lips.

She thought she was fine being single. She thought she was fine being alone. She thought work was all she needed.

And then she met him.

And he f*****g ruined everything.
My opinion? Well, my opinion is that this book made me laugh, made me frustrated, and also a little angry. So yeah, it’s a well rounded book.
Ok, so, Jules is at a realtor convention and meets Cal, an investment banker. They are both attracted to each other and then after talking for a while they move upstairs. Whoa!! Put on the brakes, this girl has some class. ( She also may be crazy, stupid, because he sounds so hot.) Nope, not getting lucky tonight, Cal. They then spend the next few days together after her convention day meetings. She meets his brother and they have a great time. Now, it’s time for her to fly home. Oh, did I mention that he lives in Boston and she lives in Malibu? Yep.
So, now we have a long distance thing going on, which they both think is better for them, since they are both workaholics.
Ok, so this is where I get frustrated. I work all the time, I don’t want a relationship right now, maybe I should stop texting her. Does she understand that this isn’t going anywhere? Am I sending mixed signals? Blah, blah, blah. YES!!! Yes, Cal you are, since you text Jules every morning and call her every night. You are basically in a relationship. These two are sharing their entire lives every day with each other. I know married people who talk less than these two.
Anyway, Cal visits, Jules hooks him up with some great connections in his business, then lets her colleague finalize a deal for her because he is town. So what does Cal do? Flips his shit, because she gave up work for him.
He can’t take it. He doesn’t want her doing that. He wouldn’t do that for her.

Now the angry part:

Cal just drops off the face of the Earth. He totally stops calling, texting, or returning calls. He is now a douchebag. Now, we all know I like jerks, but I do not like scared little sissy jerks. Obviously, I am still angry at him.
Then of course he realizes he made a huge mistake and has to fix it. So, he flies to Malibu.
Jules has some choice words for him when he shows up at her work. Ha! She is awesome!

Well, you know the drill you will have to read it to see what happens. Don’t you just love me?
So all in all I really enjoyed this story. It was my little break from anything paranormal. I have to say though that this makes me miss my paranormal men, my jerks, my strong men.
Go read it. I am sure you will like it.
Peace ✌,

Les

Books, fantasy, great reads, indie author, Out of the Box Blogs, paranormal romance, Romance, scifi, steampunk, Urban Fantasy

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Karen

It finally happened! We hit 10,000 views on our blog! First we want to say thanks to everyone. But really what better way to say thank you than a $25 Amazon gift card! We wish we could give everyone one but we are too poor for that so it’s giveaway time. You guys are awesome, we love you..Hope you win!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/479697332/?

Books, fantasy, great reads, indie author, paranormal romance, Reviews, Romance

The Final Calling by Angela Colsin

debra

image

The Final Calling is Book 5 of The Crucible series by Angela Colsin, an indie author whose books in this series I have really enjoyed.

The Blurb:  Prophecies, tyrants, assassins, and exiled royalty aren’t the things Edith Walsh thought she’d be dealing with when her training as a mage apprentice began. Her main focus is becoming an enchantress by completing the Final Calling—a grand scavenger hunt all apprentices undertake to gather items needed to craft their coveted staff and gain eternal life.
This challenge can prove lethal if care isn’t taken to watch one’s steps. But making matters worse, Edith has also been marked for death by the Steward of the Perosian Empire, a tyrant named Rothario, all because of a pesky prophecy made centuries before her birth foretelling his demise at her hands.
So what’s a mage to do? Simple; accept the assistance of a sexy Perosian who’s dealt with Rothario’s minions for as long as he can remember. Yet Isaac wants far more than Edith’s safety—she’s his mate, and his fiery gaze, wicked tongue, and shameless seductions inflame her more intensely than she’s ever known.
Convicted of murdering the imperial family of Perosia, Isaac’s spent centuries as a fugitive hunted by a homeland he doesn’t recall. But his ruthless talent for survival serves him well, and there’s nothing he won’t do to protect Edith from the forces threatening her life, even if it means sacrificing his own.

My thoughts:   I liked this book—a lot.  This book tells the story of Edith, a mage who is on a scavenger hunt to obtain items needed for her staff; and Isaac, a very interesting demon whose story may be more than meets the eye.  Isaac knows Edith is his mate but must wait while she is in mage training, but when it comes to The Calling, he is finished waiting for her, knows she needs his help and is determined to give it. Their adventures leads to a very good story.  I think this book is the strongest in the series so far. The writing is solid and the characters well-developed.  My favorite part of the story actually involves several battle/action scenes that Edith and Isaac and a few others that come along for the ride—I love action scenes and these are well-written.  If you haven’t tried Angela’s writing, give them a try but start back at Book 1 (Blue Moon)—you’ll be glad you did.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.